Mayweather's Watch Fraud Case
Boxing Icon Floyd Mayweather Charged with Felony Theft for Alleged $200K Watch Fraud
Key Points
Gold & Beyond’s attorney, Marc Cook, said the store delayed filing because it “trusted Mayweather and was trying to give him every opportunity to make good on that,” but “it got to the point where he wasn’t getting responses and wasn’t getting money for a watch that Mayweather had for well over a year.”
Court records cited by reporters specify potential financial penalties in addition to prison: if convicted of intent to defraud, Mayweather faces up to 1–4 years, a fine of up to $5,000 plus restitution costs; the theft count carries fines up to $15,000 in addition to a 1–20 year prison range.
In court, Mayweather did not attend in person: reports say his legal team entered the appearance on his behalf, and the outlet also noted that a preliminary hearing date had not yet been scheduled and the jeweler’s identity remained undisclosed in available filings.
One report states Mayweather was “charged in April” with theft and intent to defraud, with the case later scheduled for a hearing in September.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is facing two felony charges in Las Vegas after prosecutors say he wrote a $200,000 bad check to buy a luxury Audemars Piguet watch in December 2024. Sportico reports that Mayweather — who has earned an estimated $1.2 billion in his career — allegedly drew the check from a Wells Fargo account that lacked sufficient funds to cover it.
Clark County prosecutors charged Mayweather in April 2026 with felony theft and passing a check with intent to defraud, according to Cleveland.com. If convicted on both counts, he faces up to 24 years in prison and $20,000 in fines, plus restitution.
How a Christmas Watch Purchase Became a Criminal Case
Mayweather visited Gold & Beyond, a luxury resale boutique in Las Vegas, on December 25, 2024. He selected an Audemars Piguet timepiece and finalized the purchase with a $200,000 check on December 31, according to The Grio. Prosecutors allege the check bounced because the account held insufficient funds — and that Mayweather knew it would.
Gold & Beyond's attorney Marc Cook told reporters the store tried to settle the matter privately for over a year. "The reason for the delay is that my guy trusted Mayweather and was trying to give him every opportunity to make good," Cook said, per The Grio. "It got to the point where he wasn't getting responses and wasn't getting money for a watch that Mayweather had for well over a year." The store filed a formal complaint with the Clark County District Attorney's Office in February 2026.
Felony Counts Carry Up to 24 Years and $20,000 in Fines
Mayweather faces two separate felony charges. The theft count — covering amounts of $100,000 or greater — carries 1 to 20 years in Nevada State Prison and fines up to $15,000. The intent-to-defraud charge adds another 1 to 4 years and up to $5,000 in fines, plus restitution costs, according to Albany Herald.
An attorney entered an appearance on Mayweather's behalf at an initial hearing on June 15, 2026. Mayweather was not physically present. His next court date is set for September 17, 2026, per The Shade Room. Defense attorney Adrian Lobo pushed back on the charges, telling ESPN that "this matter does not belong in the criminal courts" and that Mayweather "looks forward to being vindicated."
IRS Lien, Child Support, and a String of Financial Disputes
The watch case is not Mayweather's only financial fire. In March 2026, the IRS filed a $7.3 million federal tax lien against him for unpaid taxes from 2018 and 2023, according to Sportico. That same month, a court ordered him to pay $1 million in back child support to a former partner in Las Vegas, along with $33,000 in monthly payments.
Mayweather is also fighting lawsuits over unpaid rent on a Manhattan apartment and disputes with former business partners. The Shade Room noted he has active civil suits tied to financial disagreements with jewelers and a former business manager. Critics say the flurry of cases undermines his long-running "Money" brand persona built over a 50-0 boxing career.
Exhibitions and a Pacquiao Rematch Loom Over September Hearing
Despite the charges, Mayweather is still scheduled to fight in an exhibition bout against Mike Zambidis in Athens, Greece, on June 27, 2026. Analysts say these exhibition fights have shifted from vanity projects to financial necessities, per Sportico. A rematch with Manny Pacquiao is also reportedly planned for September 2026 at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The timing creates a direct conflict. Mayweather's next court hearing is set for September 17 — right in the window of the anticipated Pacquiao event. Legal experts noted that while 20-year sentences are rare for first-time non-violent offenders in Nevada, the intent-to-defraud charge signals prosecutors believe the check was written with deliberate knowledge it would not clear, raising the stakes significantly for Mayweather's defense.
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